Mark, In Native Studies, there is far less difficulty in understanding the notion of all religions being one. There's a story by Native writer Anna Lee Walters (Otoe-Missouria/Pawnee) in which various preachers try to explain to an older Native woman that their respective churches are the only right ones and that the others are wrong. The old grandma listens to one especially belligerent preacher lecturing on why she should not go to the other churches as well. The old woman looks at the young preacher and tells him, "They're alla same." He gets especially heated, and then tells her that she knows nothing about religion. Then he tells her that her tribal traditions are evil and wrong. With that comment, the old woman's openness changes to sternness as he berates her traditions. Looking down at her grandchild, she then tells him very sternly and directly, "No! It is you, young man, who do not understand. We have understood the sacred and the ways of creation since the beginning of time. Now, we accept Jesus and Christianity, too. You are wrong, for they are alla same!"
As he storms off, she then cheerily calls after hi, "See you in church this Sunday, preacher..." A colleague of mine who teaches out west said that for years she was mystified by so many of the Native people who, one day go to the Catholic church down the road, but the next month attend the Presbyterian mission to listen to the new minister, only then attending the Dutch Reformed church when visiting family, all interwoven with various tradition sacred ceremonies of their own tribes and clans. If we really want to understand the notion of the oneness of religion, I really believe that those who can articulate and explain this best are our indigenous sisters and brothers around the world who still embrace their traditional faiths in conjunction with organized religion. To see the sacred as one unfolding faith articulated by various Messengers of God since the beginning of time all around the world is much easier to understand once we step out of the boundaries of institutionalized religion. Perhaps this helps. If not, at least this brought to mind a delightful and profound story by Walters. By the way, I strongly recommend her novel _Ghost Singer_ to anyone interested in Native sacred traditions. Also Leslie Marmon Silko's _Ceremony_. Regards to everyone during this very busy week or so for those of us grading final papers and final exams! Susan Dr. Susan B. Brill de Ramirez, Professor of English Bradley University, Peoria, IL 61625 [EMAIL PROTECTED]; (309) 677-3888; fax (309) 677-2330 -----Original Message----- From: Mark A. Foster [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2003 12:37 PM To: Baha'i Studies Subject: All Religions are One I just posted the following on the interfaith "Study Circle" list: I think that the unqualified statement, "All religions are one," is ludicrous on the face of it. However, if the statement can be broken down, it might be more manageable: 1. What is included by "all"? 2. What is our present definition of "religion"? 3. What, if anything, is the significance of "are" (as contrasted with *were* or *will be*)? 4. What is intended by "one" or oneness. Let me then suggest a qualified statement (though not a testable proposition): The Mind of God willed certain Prophets or Messengers to found religions. The religious teachings of those Prophets or Messengers are one in that, irrespective of their apparent differences, they all reflect God's intentionality or Will at a particular moment in history. Unless one specifies what one means by, "All religions are one," one is left with a sentence which any reasonable person can (and should) refute. Mark A. Foster * http://MarkFoster.net http://CompuServe.m.foster.name ---------- You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://list.jccc.net/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=bahai-st news://list.jccc.net/bahai-st http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist (public) http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] (public) ---------- You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://list.jccc.net/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=bahai-st news://list.jccc.net/bahai-st http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist (public) http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] (public)
